With hardly two days to go before the deadline given by the President to form a new government, the ruling coalition has failed to strike a deal on the leadership of the next government.
The meeting of the coalition scheduled for today could not take place after Madhav Nepal abstained from it. CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal who reached Baluwatar held a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for an hour.
According to an NC leader privy to the meeting, the meeting could not make any headway even today with both the leaders sticking to their guns.
NC senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, leaders Krishna Sitaula, Bal Krishna Khand, and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki were also present in the meeting.
The Maoist Center and the NC have been reiterating that they should lead the government until the first half of the five-year term.
According to a leader who came in contact with Prachanda after meeting with Deuba in Baluwatar, the NC is trying to violate the previous agreement. "Leaders close to President Deuba have been active in that." The leader claimed that there had been a prior agreement, according to which, the Maoist Center would lead the first government following the election.
Despite pressure exerted by Prachanda, Deuba, however, does not seem worried as he is certain that he will continue as the prime minister in line with Article 76 (3) even if the ruling coalition fails to garner simple majority by Sunday.
Being the leader of the largest party in the parliament, Deuba can form a minority government in line with Article 76 (3) even if the coalition fails to garner a majority by Sunday.
On December 18, a central work execution committee of the NC had decided to form the government under its own leadership.
Besides, UML leaders have also hinted that their party would lend support to Deuba in case the existing coalition splits.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is holding discussions with both NC and UML while Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is tight-lipped. NC leaders are confident that CK Raut's Janamat Party and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party will support their party.
"Even if Prachanda and Upendra, the chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) ally with UML, the government will not be formed, said a leader who attended Friday's meeting. "Nepal will not ally with UML, RPP is silent and RSP is approaching both sides."
The ruling coalition meeting will take place on Saturday again.
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